Lobi Stars out to strengthen grip on pole position

Lobi Stars will look to strengthen their grip on pole position in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) when they face Nasarawa United at Lafia Township Stadium on Sunday, 18 March 2018, kick-off at 17h00 CAT.

Stars currently lead the standings on 23 points from 12 matches – a three-point lead over second-placed Kano Pillars and four ahead of Akwa United and Yobe Stars (who have two and one games in hand respectively).

Lobi comes into the game on the back of a three-match winning streak which has propelled them to the summit. Last weekend they completed the hat-trick of 1-0 victories by beating Katsina United at home.

United are placed a lowly 15th on the 20-team table, with 13 points from 12 matches. Only goal difference is keeping them out of the relegation zone and they are in need of a run of good results to lift them away from danger.

Nasarawa comes into the game having lost 1-0 at Akwa United on Monday. It was a third defeat from their last five matches.

In head-to-head stats, Nasarawa and Lobi have met in 20 league matches since 2005. The Ortom Boys have claimed seven wins compared to six for the Solid Miners, while seven games have been drawn.

The teams’ most recent meeting was an NPFL clash in August 2017 which was won 1-0 at home by Nasarawa. United have won three of the last five matches between the teams.